SpaceX’s targets June 1st for the next ISS resupply mission

Causes a small bush fire from the static firing test

SpaceX’s targets June 1st for the next ISS resupply mission

This week SpaceX successfully completed a test fire of the Falcon 9 that they will soon be using to launch the Dragon supply ship to the International Space Station (ISS) next month.

This test did go a little differently to what SpaceX normally does, causing a small static fire on a small island near pad 39A where SpaceX tested the rocket. Thankfully the fire was contained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who put out the fire with some water dropped from a helicopter.

Now that the test has been successfully completed, SpaceX was able to set the launch date for this resupply mission as June 1st.

They have also already filed the Dragon spacecraft that they will be using to resupply the ISS with most of its cargo load, which will include nearly 6,000 pounds of supplies and equipment for the space station and the astronauts aboard. This includes a new NASA experiment that aims to study quick-spinning neutron stars, along with some rodents that scientists will use to study medical remedies for bone loss and osteoporosis, an experimental solar array that may be used on future satellites, and a new Earth-observing camera platform.

So if all goes right, we will not only receive some new scientific information but also some great photos of space.

Interesting, SpaceX will be re-using the primary structure from the capsule that they used for a logistics mission back in September 2014, marking the first time that SpaceX has re-used a Dragon spacecraft’s pressurised compartment.

It will also be the 11th cargo launch for SpaceX since 2012.

This will all happen on June 1st, with the blastoff set for 21:55 GMT, the Dragon supply ship is then expected to reach the ISS on June 4th and then return to Earth on July 2nd.